In the US, United Methodist pastors feel worse and worry more than a decade ago
United StatesRNS United Methodist clergy have been through the wringer in recent years, with a worldwide pandemic, a church schism and the ongoing decline of one of the nation’s largest Protestant denominations. Those stresses have likely taken a toll on their health, a new report shows. A survey of 1,200 United Methodist clergy found that half have […]
In the US, United Methodist Church announces date, location for thrice-postponed General Conference
United StatesRNS Perhaps the third time will be the charm for United Methodists awaiting a vote to officially split the denomination. The United Methodist Church has announced the dates for the next meeting of its global decision-making body after postponing its 2020 General Conference meeting three times for pandemic-related reasons. The downtown skyline of Charlotte, […]
Deep listening: As politics poison churches, in the US a non-profit is teaching a new skill
YONAT SHIMRON, of Religion News Service, reports that Resetting the Table does not seek agreement. But it hopes the techniques it teaches will allow people to see each other in all their humanity…
In the US, United Methodist Church delays General Conference, prompting some conservatives to leave
RNS The United Methodist Church has delayed its General Conference meeting for a third time due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. In response, some conservative United Methodists have announced they will preemptively leave the denomination rather than wait for the long-anticipated meeting. Delegates to the General Conference were expected to take up a proposal to […]
Mission in the age of COVID: Access, travel rules influence missionary vaccine policies
HOLLY MEYER, of Associated Press, reports on how US missionary agencies are grappling with the idea of COVID-19 vaccine mandates…
United Methodist conservatives detail plans for a breakaway
AP Conservative leaders within the United Methodist Church unveiled plans Monday to form a new denomination, the Global Methodist Church, with a doctrine that does not recognise same-sex marriage. The move could hasten the long-expected breakup of the UMC, America’s largest mainline Protestant denomination, over differing approaches to LGBTQ inclusion. In this 19th April, 2019 […]
In the US, Duke Divinity School dean tapped as Belmont University president
Durham, North Carolina, USRNS L Gregory Jones, the longtime dean of the United Methodist-affiliated Duke Divinity School, will become the new president of Belmont University, a non-denominational Christian school close to Music Row in Nashville. Jones will succeed Belmont President Bob Fisher, who is retiring in May after two decades at the helm of the […]
Texas United Methodists take up call to replace denomination’s logo over association with racist imagery
RNS It’s known in the United Methodist Church as the “Cross and Flame.” But the denomination’s logo – two red flames intertwined with a thin, black cross – means something else to Rev Edlen Cowley, pastor of Fellowship United Methodist Church near Dallas. It reminds Cowley, who is Black, of the first burning cross he […]
United Methodist bishops affirm protests, call members to pray twice daily for eight minutes, 46 seconds
RNS United Methodist bishops are calling members of the global denomination to “take a stand against the oppression and injustice that is killing persons of color” after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and other black people. In a written statement released on Monday, bishops called all United Methodists to name racism and white […]
“Love feasts”: How Methodists are reviving a centuries old tradition online
KIMBERLY WINSTON reports for Religion Unplugged on the return of the Methodist ritual known as “love feasts”…